How To Set Up Back Up Iron Sights On An AR-15 (HD)

Published on June 24, 2015
Duration: 4:45

This guide details how to set up backup iron sights (BUIS) on an AR-15, drawing from Mrgunsngear's practical advice. It covers the 'ghost ring' method (front sight up, rear sight down) for quick deployment if an optic fails, and discusses co-witnessing options. The emphasis is on finding a setup that balances speed, accuracy, and sight picture clarity for the individual user.

Quick Summary

The 'ghost ring' method for AR-15 backup sights involves keeping the front sight post up and the rear sight folded down. This setup uses the optic's housing as a large aperture, allowing for rapid aiming with the front sight post at close distances if the primary optic fails, offering a less cluttered sight picture than a lower 1/3 co-witness.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Demo
  2. 00:33Preferred Setup: Front Up, Rear Down
  3. 01:26Ghost Ring Demonstration
  4. 02:05Alternative: Co-Witnessing
  5. 02:43Personal Preference & Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'ghost ring' method for AR-15 backup sights?

The 'ghost ring' method involves keeping the front sight post deployed and the rear sight folded down. This allows the optic's housing to act as a large aperture, enabling faster aiming with the front sight post at close to medium distances if the primary optic fails.

How do you achieve a lower 1/3 co-witness with backup iron sights on an AR-15?

To achieve a lower 1/3 co-witness, both the front and rear backup iron sights are deployed (flipped up). They are aligned such that the iron sights appear in the lower third of the red dot optic's window, allowing the red dot to be the primary aiming point while the irons are ready.

What are the advantages of keeping backup iron sights folded down on an AR-15?

Keeping backup iron sights folded down maximizes the field of view through your primary optic, offering an unobstructed sight picture. However, this configuration requires the user to deploy the sights manually if the optic fails, which takes slightly longer than having them already deployed.

Why is proper setup of backup iron sights important on an AR-15?

Proper setup ensures that if your primary optic fails (e.g., battery dies, damaged), you can quickly and effectively transition to your backup iron sights for continued accuracy, crucial for self-defense or tactical applications.

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